Six cousins posed in front of the Old Stone House on their bikes before the race.
Thirteen bikers rode in the inaugural Old Stone House Fall Foliage Bike Race, which made a 12 mile counter clockwise loop down Old Stone House Rd., through Brownington Center, then on Ticehurst, Pepin, and Chilafoux, Gaye Hill, Chapdelaine, and Hinman Settler Roads.
Michael Karasinski started out ahead and stayed ahead in the 5K Run, placing first with a time of 18:53.
BROWNINGTON -- The second annual Old Stone House Fall Foliage Race was held on Sunday morning, September 12, with a Half Marathon Run, a 5K Run, a 5K Walk and a 12 Mile Bicycle Race. A brisk breeze did not discourage the 47 participants who raced on mostly dirt country roads with scenic vistas, brightened by early fall foliage.
Nine racers started the Half Marathon a little after 8 a.m., on a route that took them over the Old Stone House Rd., Hinman Settler Rd, Chapdelaine Rd., Ticehurst Rd., Gaye Hill Rd., Chilafoux Rd., and the Pepin Rd. Jason Shafer of Barton, 33, placed first with a time of 1:31:28. Tyler Alexander of Derby, 26, place second, even though he made a wrong turn that took him almost an extra mile, with a time of 1:35:42. Alex Grafton of Newport, 33, was third with a time of 1:46:19. Beverly Tannahill of Westmount, Quebec, 34, was the first woman with a time of 1:48:39, and placed fifth overall.
The other racers started a little after 9 a.m. Thirteen bikers raced on the same course as the half marathoners, but in the opposite direction. This was the first year for the bike race.
Women took first and second place overall. Linda Ramsdell of Craftsbury Common, 46, won with a time of 44:04. Ami English of Glover placed second with a time of 52:41. Oren Martin of Brownington, 57, third overall and first man over the finish line, came in with a time of 54:20.
The next four riders declared themselves a peleton, and came across the finish line with the same time of 1:00:54: Rian Hayman-Jones of Glover,10, Anaka Maher of West Glover, 12, Malakai Maher of West Glover,10, and Dennis Gibson of West Glover, 61. More enthusiastic young riders came in close behind. Aiden,Maher, 8, was eleventh, Asom,Hayman-Jones, 8, placed eighth, and Karamae Hayman-Jones, 12, was tenth.
The 5K course took racers up and back on the Hinman Settler Rd., traversing the high ridge with breathtaking views of Jay Peak and Lake Memphremagog. In the 5K Run, Michael Karasinski of Barton, 18, came in first with a time of 18:53. Larry Allard of Barton, 52, was second with a time of 20:22. Patrick Brogan of Orleans, 23, was third with a time of 20:56. Lindy Sargent, 58, was the first woman across the line, and placed fifth overall, with a time of 24:29. Casey Dearborn of Albany, 31, was the second woman with a time of 25:30. Erin Magoon of Craftsbury Common, 31, was the third woman with a time of 28:23.
In the 5K Walk, Roy Gero of Barton, 71, placed first with a time of 38:28. Women took both second and third. Barbara Grant of Brownington, 55, was second with a time of 40:28. Andie Stratton of Newport, 55, was third with a time of 42:31 Larry Faust of Brownington was fourth overall with a time of 45:43, and Wayne Wheeler of Newport, the oldest participant of all the races, was fifth with a time of 50:21.
Following the events racers enjoyed hot corn on the cob, fresh pressed apple cider, cookies, doughnuts, fruit and plenty of hot coffee. Sponsors of the race included Radiant Floor, Craftsbury Sports Center, Kingdom Trails, Columbia Forest Products, Evansville Trading Post, Juddy's Portable Toilets, Village Sport Shop, Parker Pie, Concept 2 Rowing, Memphremagog Press, Big Bear Real Estate, Lakefront & Country Rentals, Gene Besaw & Associates, Passumpsic Savings Bank, Total Security, Blanchard Oil, Currier's Market, and the Village Bike Shop. The proceeds from the race will support the programs at the museum. from the Old Stone House Museum